Chapter 336: The Call of War
Chapter 336: The Call of War
Xiang Ling was sitting in the backyard of the summer cottage. Her heart heavy with the weight of the betrayal she hadn’t anticipated. The shock of seeing the Shadow Lord’s face—the face of someone she had been trusting all this time—gnawed at her relentlessly.
She wanted to do anything but believe what her eyes just saw.
She poured another cup of celestial wine, but her trembling hand betrayed the calm she was trying to project. The wine was sweet, but to her, it tasted bitter. Each sip felt like a reminder of the darkness she had uncovered. She wasn’t sure how many cups she had drunk already, but it was doing little to numb the sting of the revelation.
The betrayal ran deep, digging into her heart like a poison. She could feel her emotions spiraling, her once-clear sense of purpose clouded by the shock. Who could she trust now, if someone so close to her betrayed her like this?
She clenched her jaw and her vision blurred slightly as she downed the last of her drink.
She spent the entire night in the shadows of her Spatial Realm, hiding from the world, her thoughts, and even herself. The usual comfort of her private sanctuary now felt cold and hollow.
Morning came far too quickly.
She stared at the empty cup in her hand, contemplating another drink, but then the sound of gentle footsteps forced her to change her plans. As she lifted her head, she saw Xuelin steppinb into the backyard.
"Master," Xuelin said softly, her voice careful as she glanced at the empty bottles scattered across the table. "Crown Prince and the other Lords have returned to the Heavenly Realm. You have been called to the High Council for an urgent meeting."
Xiang Ling’s heart jumped at the mention of her men. They were all back. She hadn’t seen them in what felt like an eternity. Though the thought of seeing them brought her a sliver of comfort, it also made her nervous. How would she face them, knowing what she now knew?
She quickly locked away the emotions swirling inside her and nodded, rising from her seat. "Prepare my robes," she instructed while pushing away the night’s turmoil as best as she could.
Xuelin nodded and hurried away, leaving Xiang Ling to compose herself. Entering her bedroom, she stood in front of the mirror and her reflection showed more than just physical fatigue. Her eyes were distant, haunted by what she had seen. With a deep breath, she straightened her back. She couldn’t afford to look weak, especially not in front of the council. And not in front of her men. And not in front of... the Shadow Lord.
By the time she was ready, she had donned her usual composure, her face impassive, though her heart continued to race with anticipation... and dread.
* * *
As Xiang Ling entered the High Council building, her heart thudded in her chest, louder with each step she took. The large stone corridors felt unusually cold this morning, the atmosphere thick with the weight of the impending war. She could sense her men nearby.
She made her way to the council chamber, and as soon as she crossed the threshold, six pairs of eyes turned toward her. There they stood—Wei Guang, Li Xian, Xin Cheng, Dao Ming, Zhe Yuan, and Zhang Xuan. Each of them watched her as if they had felt her presence before she had even entered the room.
The look of relief that passed through their gazes hit her like a wave. It was as if they had been waiting for her, needing to see her, just as she had been yearning to see them. But in front of the High Council, she needed to keep her emotions in check. They all needed that.
She bit back the urge to rush over to them. Instead she gave them a small nod of acknowledgment as she gracefully took her seat.
Zhang Xuan’s eyes lingered on her longer than the others, his gaze filled with unspoken words. Her heart ached at the sight of him. She had missed him so much, missed all of them. But then, she was reminded of the Shadow Lord and the betrayal.
The meeting began, and all thoughts of reunion were quickly swept aside by the gravity of the situation.
"The Shadow Lord made his move this morning," one of the Supreme Immortals announced, his voice steady but grim. "He has declared the final war."
Murmurs rippled through the room, but the council quickly fell silent as Li Xian stepped forward to take charge. As the Immortal of War, he was a natural leader, and the council deferred to him when it came to military matters.
"We have anticipated this for some time," he began, his voice strong and resolute. "The Shadow Lord was hidden in the dark for too long, and now he seeks to bring the full force of his power against us. We will not falter. We will not fail. This war will be the end of him."
Xiang Ling’s heart clenched. She knew now who Shadow Lord was, the face behind the darkness. And though the council remained focused on the war, she couldn’t help but feel the heavy burden of that knowledge pressing down on her.
As the meeting continued, the council discussed strategies, laying out plans to defend the Heavenly Realm and strike at the Shadow Lord’s forces. Li Xian took the lead in assigning roles, his commands were swift and decisive.
But all the while, Xiang Ling’s thoughts remained divided. How could she fight this war knowing what she knew? She couldn’t bring herself to tell the others - not yet. She was unable to find the courage to face the truth.
By the time the meeting ended, the council was resolute. The war would begin soon, and the Shadow Lord’s reign would end, one way or another.
As the council members dispersed, Xiang Ling could feel the eyes of her men on her, waiting for her to join them. But instead of heading toward them, she turned away, her heart heavy with the decision she had made.
She had something else to attend to first.